Punch press



i P. E. PEAR-SON ETAL' 2,305,191-

Dec. 15, 1.942.

a PUNCH mass Filed June 24, 1941,

15 Sheets-Sheet '2 Dec. 15, 1942. P, a PEARSON ETAL- 2,305,191

runcu PRESS filed June 24. 1941 15- Sheets-Sheet 3 [yum rams 15' Sheets-Sheet 4 WW aw f 3: WW FDVI a M7 2 5% Ma PUNCH PRESS P. E. PEARSN Filed June 24 1941 Dec. 15, 1942?; P. E. PEARSON ET AL PUNCH PRES-S Filed June 24, 1941 15 Sheets-Sheet. 5

P. E. PEARSON E! A! PUNCH PRESS Filed June 24, 1941 E EQSAE l5 Sheetsr-Sheet '7 BB ww My ig DEC. 15, 194-2.- PEARSON EI-AL 2,305,191

PUNCH PRESS Filed June 24, 1941 15 Sheets-Sheet 8 M m!) X Dec. 15, 9 2 'P. a P ARSON M. 2, 05,191

PUNCH PRESS Dec; 15, 1942.

P. E. PEARSON ETAL PUNCH PRESS Filed June 24, 1941 Y 15 Sheets-Sheet 10 Dec. 15, 19421 P. E. PEARSON ETAL 2,305,191

PUNCH PRESS Filed June 24. 1941 15 Sheets-Sheet 11 E. PEARSON ETAL 2,305,191

PUNCH PRESS Filed Jun 24, 1 941 15 Sheets-Sheet l2 Ba I wand/ E5, 1942:. P. E. PEARsON ETAL. mfi w PUNCH PRES S Filed June 24, 1941 15 Sheets-Shea? 14 I IIIY v P. E. PEARSON ETAL' ggwggiigi PUNCH PRESS "Filed June 24, 1941 15 hams-sheet {15 Patented Dec. 15, 1942 PUNCH PRESS Paul E. Pearson and Alexander A. Trombly, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Continental Can Com- ,pany, Inc.,- New New York York, N. Y., a corporation of Application June 24, 1941, Serial No. 399,548

18 Claims.

The invention relates generally to punch presses of the type employed in forming circular end closures for cans or like containers, and it primarily seeks to provide certain new and useful improvements in these presses designed to minimize the amount of scrap metal losses incident to the formation of said end closures.

According to the invention, the end closures are punched from individual strips of uniform width and length, the strips being fed step-bystep to the punching and forming dies, said dies being arranged so as to provide a minimum of scrap metal thickness between the circular cuts, and novel stop gage equipments being provided for placing the strip before each successive punching stroke with .such accuracy that the circular cuts can be placed as closely as .035 of an inch apart without danger of intercutting or the deformation of the very narrow scrap joints by gage contact with resultant disruption of the accuracy of the gaging function.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel punch press structure of the character stated in which provision is made for forming a given number of end closures from a material strip which is narrower in width and shorter in length than strips from which a like number of such end closures have been procurable in the past.

Another object of the invention is to provide a punch press structure of the character stated in which the dies are disposed in staggered relation at opposite sides of and slightly overlapping the center line along which the strips are fed, with their centers spaced longitudinally or in the direction of feed only slightly more than one and one-half times their diameter,

thereby to provide minimum scrap thicknesses between punch cuts, three vertically projectable and retractable gages being provided, two of which are successively engaged by the leading edge of each strip and subsequently rise ineffectively within openings punched. through the scrap, and a third of which has position gaging contact in openings punched through the scrap and is Y-shaped to contact the scrap metal at opposite sides of a line drawn centrally through said openings in the direction of feed.

Another object of'the invention is to provide a punch press structure of the character stated embodying dies arranged in the manner stated, three gages of the nature stated, and. means for feeding the strips step-by-step, all cooperatively arranged and operated so that the first engaged strip edge stop stops the strip under the first encountered die to cause it to make a first single cut in the advance end oi the particular strip, the second engaged strip edge stop stops the strip under both dies to cause them to make a first double cut in the strip, and the third engaged or Y-shaped stop engages in a punch die formed opening in the strip to stop the strip under both dies at subsequent successive feed steps to cause said dies to form succeeding double cuts. I

Another object of the invention is to provide a punch press of the character stated in which novel means is provided for avoiding idle strokes of the punches, or, stated another way, in which novel means is provided for causing the dies to make double cuts at every stroke, both of the double cuts being made in a given strip when made intermediately of its ends, and one such out being made in the end of one strip and the other thereof in the leading end of the next or infeeding strip each time the trailing end of one strip and the leading end of the succeeding strip thus come under said dies.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a punch press of the character stated and embodying dies arranged in the specific manner stated, means for causing each infeeding strip into initial punching position in lapped relation to the preceding strip so that the descending punches can engage and simultaneously punch through the trailing end of said preceding strip and the leading ,end of the succeeding strip.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a strip overlapping means of the character stated novel means for simultaneously moving the preceding strip and the succeeding strip with the latter moving more rapidly than the former, thereby to provide the desired strip end overlap, and means for guiding the faster moving strip end to prevent edge abutment thereof with the.

trailing end 01' the preceding strip.

Another object 01' the invention is to provide.

novel means for rapidly discharging from the press strip scrap or residue from the punching from each strip of the end closures.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature 01' the invention will be more fully understood by following the detailed description, the appended claims, and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a face view 01' a press structure embodying the invention.

I section taken on the Figure 2 is a left end elevation of the structure illustrated in Figure l. v

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating the manner in which the strips are fed up to the dies before making the initial cut therein.

Figure 4 is a detail vertical longitudinal section illustrating the strip feeding means.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail side elevation illustrating one of the placer finger assemblies.

Figures 6, '7 and 8 are detail vertical cross sectional views respectively illustrating one of the placer assemblies, one of the main feed fin er assemblies, and the end finger assembly.

Figure 9 is a plan view illustrating the delivery end of the feed table, the top'feed plate and the arrangement of the underlying dies, portions of the frame structure being illustrated in horizontal cross section.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal line "-48 on Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary vertical cross section taken on the line H on Figure 9.

Figure 12 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view illustrating the idle stroke eliminating structures shown in Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a detail vertical longitudinal section taken on the line l3-l3 on Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a detail vertical longitudinal section taken on the line l4-I4 on Figure 12.

Figure 15 is a detail vertical longitudinal section taken on the line l5-l5 on Figure 9.

Figure 16 is a vertical cross section taken on the line I6l6 on Figure 9.

Figure 17 is a detail vertical cross section taken on the line ll-ll on Figure 9.

Figure 18 is a detailed longitudinal section taken on the line I8-|8 on Figure 9.

Figure 19 is a detail end elevation and part vertical cross section illustrating the adjustable mounting of the delivery end of the top plate.

Figure 20 is a somewhat diagrammatic vertical cross section illustrating the positioning and manner of operation of the gage carrying yoke.

Figure 21 is a. diagrammatic view illustrating,

the positioning of a strip for the making of the first single cut therein, the first engaged gage stop being effective.

Figure 22 is a diagrammatic view illustratin the positioning of a strip for the making of the first double cut therein, the second engaged gage stop being effective.

Figure 23 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the positioning of a strip for the making of the second double cut therein, the Y-shaped gage stop being effective for positioning this and subsequent double cuts.

Figure 24 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the positioning of the trailing end of an outfeeding strip and the leading end of an infeeding strip for having a double cut made in said ends, one cut in said trailing end and the other out in said leading end, the Y-shaped gage stop and also the first engaged gage stop being effective in this positioning of the strips.

Figure 25 is a detail view illustrating a scrap strip from which the full complement of end closures have been punched.

Figure 26 is a detail side elevation illustrating the scrap ejecting means.

Figure 27 is a detailend elevation illustrating the scrap ejecting means.

Figure 28 is a horizontal section taken on the line 28-28 on Figure 26.

Figure 29 is a detail horizontal section taken on the line 29-29 on Figure 26.

In the punch press herein illustrated as an example of embodiment of the invention, there is included a base 5 and a main frame comprising side or cheek plates 6 connected by cross webs I and adjustably secured upon the base in the usual manner as at 8.

The main frame includes, a table portion 8 which supports a press bed ill on which are mounted two die units ll of suitable form for shaping the can end closures formed in the punch press. Two reciprocable punch units l2 cooperate with the dies and are carried on a plate l3 removably secured to the lower end of a cross head i4 which is reciprocable in guides 15 formed on the frame plates 8 and connected by an adjustable pitman IS with (the crank ll of a crank shaft l8 rotatable in bearings i8 provided therefor on the main frame.

The crank shaft I8 is equipped with a flywheel 28 which may be belt driven in the usual manner for imparting rotation to the crank shaft and reciprocation to the cross head l4. Individual punch actuators 2| are rockably mounted on .the cross head and are engageable with a stationary cam 22 adiustably supported on the mainframe for imparting the customary punching motion to the punch elements.

A feed table 23 is mounted for horizontal and vertical adjustments, as at 24, at one side of the main frame table portion 9 and provides supporting ways 25 for the individual strips 28 from which the can end closures are stamped. Each strip 28 includes staggered scroll edge portions 21.

The feed table structure includes a stack support 28 for supporting a stack of the individual strips 26, and this support includes end elements or stop guides 29 for determining the position of the strip stack on said support.

While the machine is functioning, the strips are individually lifted from the stack by suction cups 30 mounted on carriers 3| which are vertically reciprocable in guides 32. The reciprocatory movement of the carriers is imparted by crank levers 33 secured upon a rock shaft 34, said levers being link-connected, as at 35, to the carriers 3|, and said rock shaft being crank and pitman connected, as at 36, with an eccentric 31 secured upon a rotary shaft 38. It will be obvious that as the shaft 38 is rotated, rocking motion will be imparted to the shaft 34, and this rocking motion will be transmitted in the form of reciprocatory motion to the carriers 3|.

The shaft 38 is rotatably supported in one of the frame cheeks 6 and has rotation imparted thereto through spur gear and pinion connections 39 with the crank shaft 18.

The strips 28, lifted individually from the stack support 28, are fed laterally on the strip supporting ways 25 of the feed table by feeders 40 which are horizontally slidable on rods 4|, the edges of the strips passing into a V-shaped guide notch 42 formed between the supporting way or guiding surface of the feed table and the feed table top plate 43, said top plate being swingably mounted, as at 44, on the feed table so that it can be swung upwardly to render accessible the top of the table.

The feeders 40 are link-connected, as at 45, with crank arms 46 secured upon a rock shaft 41 rockably mounted in bearings above the feed table. Rocking motion is imparted to the shaft 41 by a crank arm 48 secured thereon and connected with a pitman 49 to which reciprocatory movement is imparted by a roller 50 engaged by a cam 51 rotatable with the shaft 38.

In order to suitably draw a vacuum in the suction cups 30 in timed relation for individually lifting them from the stack into position for being transversely fed by the feeder elements 49, there is provided a vacuum drawing pump 52 which is driven by suitable transmission connections 53 from the crank shaft I8. The pump is connected by suitable conduits 54 with the suction cups, and the timing of the suction in the cups is controlled by a valve 55 which is actuated by a cam 59 rotatable with the large spur gear of the rotation transmitting connections 39 hereinbefore referred to.

A feed bar slideway 51 is provided in the feed table, and a main feed bar 58 is reciprocably mounted in said slideway. The feed bar 58 ha a feed bar slideway 59 formed therein, and a second or placer feed bar 68 is reeiprocably mounted in this slideway 59. I

For imparting the desired reciprocatory movements to the feed bars 58 and 69, there is provided an adjustable crank (ii on the crank shaft I8, said crank being pitman connected, as at 62, with a crank 63 secured upon a shaft 64 which is rockably mounted in a bearing 65 provided therefor beneath the feed table. The rock shaft 64 carries a crank 66 which is connected by an adjustable link 61 and an overload release-couple 68 with a bracket 69 secured to the main feed bar 58, said bracket being equipped with a yieldable bumper'IIl engageable with an adjustable stop II beneath the feed table. The bracket 69 is in turn link-connected, as at I2, with an oscillatable lever I3, the link being adjustably connected with said lever, as at I4, intermediately of the ends of said lever. The lever I3 is oscillatable about a fulcrum I adjustably secured on a bracket I6 depending from the feed table. The fulcrum I5 is provided at the lower end of th lever I3, and at its upper end said lever is adjustable-link con nected, as at 11, to a couple I8 adjustably mounted on a rod I9 which is secured to and extends from an end of the second or placer feed bar 60.

While the strips 26 are fed step-by-step along the said table, they are edge guided by a bar 80. For imparting the desired step-by-step movements to the strips, the feed bars 58 and 60 are provided with suitable feeding fingers. There are included two sets of such fingers; a set of lacer fingers which feed the strips up to the position at which they receive the first single cut, and a set of feeder fingers for imparting the step-bystep movements which position the strips for successive double cuts, and this last mentioned set of fingers includes an'end finger which imparts the final movement to each strip to position the same. for receiving the final individual cut in a manner to be described in greater detail hereinafter.

Three placer finger assemblies generally..designated 8| are removably secured, a ert-8 2, to the placer feed bar 68, and each of-these assemblies includes a body which is secured to said bar and on which a finger carrier 83 is slidably mounted,

the sliding movement of the carrier relative to the *assembly body being resisted by a compression spring 84 and limited by end stops 85. A placer finger 88 is pivotally supported on each carrier 83,

and the leading end of each finger is urged upwardly' a limited distance by a compression spring 81.

A plurality of feed finger assemblies 88 are removably secured, as at 89, to the main feed bar 58, one such assembly being provided for each punch out to be made along a given side of one of the strips 25. Each of these assemblies is constructed .termed the end finger being designated 9|.

of th fingers 86, 98 and 9! are yieldably mounted in the same manner as are the placer finger assemblies 8| which were specifically described hereinabove, and the spring elevated feeder elements of the assemblies are designated 90, the endmost finger disposed nearest the dies Ii and All so that they can positively press th strip against the positioning stops hereinafter to be described without buckling or damaging the edges of the strips. The feeder finger and end finger assemblies are rigidly secured to the main feed bar 58 so as to be movable therewith in the manner illustrated in Figures 7 and 8.

It will be observed that because of the connection of the link 12 intermediately of the ends of the oscillatable lever I3, and the connection of the upper extremity of this lever with the placer feed bar 68, differential movement will be imparted to the feed bars 58 and 60. Thuslonger step movements are imparted to the strip while it is being moved up to the position for receiving the first punch out than are imparted to the strip to place it for subsequent cuts, and in this mannor the movement being imparted to the leading edge of each incoming strip being fed by the placer bar is more rapid than the outgoing movement being imparted to the trailing end of a strip by the main feed bar as. This diifer ential feed movement is utilized to bring about an overlapping of trailing and leading strip end portions and the avoidance of idle strokes of the punches in a manner to be described in detail hereinafter.

A top plate 92 is mounted above the press bed. This plate is removably secured at one side of one end thereof to the feed table 23 by a securing key 93, and at the other side 01' said end, by a similar securing key 94, to a shelf and strip feedway extension member 95 which is in turn secured, as at 95, to the feed table. At its other end the top plate 92 carries a depending cross head 91 overlying a wedge block 98 secured, as at 99, to the press table '9. A- wedge block I98 is interposed between the wedge block 98 and the cross head 91 and is laterally adjustable through the medium of a captive screw IIJI for vertically adlusting the overlying end portion of the top plate 92. This end extremity of the top plate carries a strip edge guiding angle I02 which is laterally adjustably mounted on the top plate, as at I03, and serves to guide strip scrap to the ejecting rolls which will be described in detail hereinafter.

The plate includes an opening I04 for accommodating the positioning of the lower left hand die H and an opening I05 for accommodating the positioning of the upper right hand die II, the upper and lower designations of the die ipositionings having reference to the positioning of the dies as viewed in Figures 3 and 9. This plate also is equipped with a first engaged gage Ifnovement accommodating opening I85, 9. second engaged gage movement accommodating openinfg I91, and also an opening I08 for accommodating the movement of the third engaged Y-shaped or forked gage to be described in detail hereinafter. The plate also includes a slot I89 for accommodating movement of. the end finger 9I and extending from an idle stroke eliminator positioning clearance III).

For edge guiding strips 26 over the op plate 92 there are provided an edge gage bar III having a beveled recessed end II2 adjacent the feed table 23, and an aligned edge gage bar II! which may include an overhanging extension portion I I4 for overlying and preventing jumping of the engaging strip edge portion.

An idle stroke eliminator equipment is provided and includes a top plate extension I which is secured, as at I I6, to the top plate 33 which overlies the feed table 23 so as to be vertically displaceable with said top plate. See Figures 9, 12, 13 and 14. A supporting member H1 is fiangesecured, as at M8, to the top plate extension H5 and laterally slidably supports a gage bar H9 carrying a gage member I26. The gage bar carries a plunger I2I which is slidably supported in a lug I22 on the support member I I1 and carries an abutment head I23. A compression spring I2 5 is interposed between the lug and the abutment head and serves to yieldably or floatably mount the gage member I20. The support H1 overlies a deflector plate I25 supported on a yoke I25 which is pivotally mounted, as at I21, on a support flange I28 secured, as at I29, to the feed table 23. The plate i25 i yieldably held in a slightly upwardly inclined position by a compression spring ltli interposed between the plate and a boss I3I carried by the flange I28. Thus positioned, the plate I25 serves to deflect the leading edge of each infeeding strip 26 upwardly in the manner illustrated in Figure 14, thereby to overlap the trailing edge of the outfeeding strip.

The upwardly deflected leading edge of each incoming strip 26 is engaged and deflected downwardly by a leaf spring I32 secured to the support member H1 and which serves to assure proper engagement of said leading edge under the beveled receiving edge I33 of a holddown or guide plate I34 which is secured upon the top plate as at I35, and extends over the end feed finger accommodating slot IE9 of the top plate. The plate I34 includes an extension l36 which projects in the direction of feed of the strips and is re-v ceived in a clearance I31 provided in the under surface of a friction or holddown member 2 The member I33 is hingedly mounted, as at on the top plate 92 and extends transversely across approximately one-half the width of said plate. The free end of the member is equipped with a holddown finger extension Hill which closely overlies the die il in the plate opening I in the manner illustrated in Figure 11 in a manner for holding the strip and greatly facilitating punching operations. The member i328 is apertured to permit projection therethrough of a stud Idl pro; jecting upwardly from the top plate Q2, said stud being equipped with an abutment head H2, and a compression spring Hi3 being interposed between the abutment head and the top surface of the member I38 for yieldably holding the member downwardly.

If desired, a hinge-mounted, spring-held friction member I3a may also be provided adjacent the top plate opening IM to serve a purpose similar to that just above described in connection with the friction or holddown member I38, Hill.

A leaf spring Hi6 projects upwardly from the V top plate 92 in position for engaging with scroll projections 21 which pass over the die position accommodating opening ill? in the top plate, and this spring member serves to prevent catching of the scroll edge portions in said opening.

An edge gage and holddown member t lt is provided and is floatably mounted, as at i iii,

through an opening in the top plate 92 and in a support I41 secured beneath said plate. This member overlies the adjacent edge portions of strips as they are being punched and prevents the displacement of the strip. A longitudinal.

edge guide Mil is mounted on the top plate 92 and similarly overlies strip edge portions for preventing upward displacement thereof.

The three, successively engaged gage elements forming an important part of the invention will now be described. A gage yoke its is rockably mounted in bearing brackets lw vertically adjustably supported, as at lfil, on the press head. The yoke includes a crank extension 152 which is pitman connected, as at l53, to one arm of a bell crank lever 554 which is pivotally secured on a bracket W5 afiixed to the upper frame cross web 1. The other arm of the bell crank lever carries a roller lfiii engaged with an eccentric cam l5? rotatable with the crank shaft E8, the lever I54 being held against the cam by an anchored spring E55. It will be obvious that as the cam rotates, upward and downward rocking motion will be imparted to the yoke 152. This a yoke carries the three gages hereinbefore briefly referred to, and each time the yoke is lifted these gages are projected upwardly through the respective openings mt, I01 and m8 in the top plate It naturally follows that when the yoke is lowered the gages are lowered beneath the top surface of the top plate.

The first engaged gage member i553, vertically projectable and retractable through the opening we, is carried by an angle bent bar I which is pivotally support, as at Itl, in a U-shaped brackat it? slot and screw secured, as at I63, upon the yoke M9. The end of the bar itil opposite the gage member its is depressed, as at I65, and is urged upwardly by a compression spring it? in terposed between the bar end and the underlying portion of the yoke, and upward movement of this bar end is limited by a stop screw i655 car ried by the depressed end lit-i and engageabie with the under surface of the top plate 92.

The second engaged gage member i551, projectable and retractable through the plate opening projects upwardly ltd which slotted to receive a clamp screw 5% which secures the bar to the yoke its, and the end of this bar remote from the gage IE1 is bent downwardly, as at 519, and is equipped with an adjuster screw ill threadably engaging the yoke.

The third effective gage E12 hereinbefore referred to as the fork or V gage, and which is projectable and retractable through the top plate opening Ililt, includes spread fingers I13 engageable at opposite sides of the center line of scrap openings formed by the punch and die equipments hereinbefore referred to as upper right hand, this position designation having reference to Figures 3 and 9. By thus engaging the scrap, contact at the extremely narrow juncture between punched openings is avoided. The stop E12, 613 projects upwardly from a bar Ht which is slotted to receive a clamp screw I15 by which the bar is secured to the yoke M9, and like the second engaged gage car the end of this bar remote from the gage 51.3, H3 is angle bent, asat are, and is equipped with an adjuster screw I11 threadably engaged with the yoke.

It will he obvious that by loosening the clamp screws or are, manipulating the adjuster screws ill or ill, and again tightening said clamp screws, adjustment of the positions of the gages lii'l and H2, i153 can b effected and secured. it will also he apparentthat by utilizing the slot and screw securing means 563 for the bracket IE2, the position of said bracket can be altered to vary the position of the gage E59. It will also be obvious that as the yoke I59 is moved downwardly, the spring I65 will move the end of the bar ltd remote from the gage bearing and upwardly, and because of the pivotal connection of the bar with the bracket 82, downward movement of the gage 553 will be compounded.

In describing the operation of the novel equipments hereinbefore described, attention is dirooted to Figures 21 to- 24. When operation of 1 the press is started, the first strip 26 to be fed and have end closures formed therefrom is lifted as a result of the initial reciprocation oi the suc tion cups 3&3 and is shifted laterally or the ieed= era 59 onto the strip supporting surface or way 25 of the feed table and against the edge guide or bar 8d. The strip is fed step-by-step along the way 25 by the placer fingers $8 in the man-= ner illustrated in Figure 3 until the leading edge It oi the strip is brought into contact with the first engaged gage 59 in the manner illustrated in Figure 21. The successive gaging steps are best illustrated in diagrammatic Figures 21 to 24. In these particular diagrammatic illustrations in which parts are illustrated in plan view, the dies are hereinafter referred to as LHii and RI-1H, thus referring to the respective left hand right hand positioning of these dies in these particular figures. It will be understood, of

course, that the parts are so timed that the gage I59 rises in time to intercept and definitely stop movement of the leading edge E of the strip.

It will be noted by reference to Figure 21 that edge of the strip is stopped just short of overlying die RH and in position for having the first out made therein over die IHi i. 'tzfirst out is a single cut. Itwill be observed by reference to these diagrammatic figures that the dies LHH and RH are spaced apart longitudinally, that is, in the direction of feed of the blanks only slightly more than one and one-half times the diameter of the punch cuts made in the strip, and that they are disposed in staggered relation at opposite sides of and slightly overlapping the center line 0 along which the strips are fed. The single punch out made at this position oi the strip is indicated at lie in Fig are 21. 7

Following the initial gage positioning of the first fed strip just above described, the step-bystep of the strip is taken over by the in feed fingers @8. At the next step feed, the leading e E of the strip is positively stop hr the second gage member" iil as illustrated in figure 22, and in this position the strip overlies both glides LE and RHii so that on the next descent oi the punch elements a double cut is made as indicated at 979 and ass on said Figure 22. It is to be understood, of course, that during the feeding of the strip to this position the feeding movement took place while the first gage 8% was depressed below the top plate at, and when the second gage was lifted into. the position illustrated for intercepting and neon rateiy stopping the leading edge E of the strip, first gage was similarly lifted but had no function because it positioned within the previomly de out indicated at lit in Figuree 2i and 22.

-lollowing the gaging elici s lust above de scribed, subsequent gaging contacts with this initially fed strip are eifected in the third gage @2 2, N8. Thus on the third step movement irnrented to the strip by the main feeding fingers $9, the spread third is fingers ilzl engage in the punch out E39, as at 885, in the zzirr' wr iliusczated in Figure 33 there to positively stop the strip in position over the dies E536 i i for peitting a double out tel, 838 to he made therein. is, gage owration and double cutting is reted at step is of this strip until the last double cut is formed in the strip, such mt double cut being illustrated in Figure 2%.,

it is to he un that each time the gage H2, H3 performsts gaging function, the other trailing end '1 of an outf strip so that on the stroke of the punch elements chested while this overlapped condition o, a double out can be made with one of the cuts, 185, heing made by the die REM in the trailing end of the outgoing strip and the other of cuts, 5%, simultaneously made by the die in the leading end of the in strip in the manner illustrated in ping of the strip ends is brought about because the plate I25 deflects the M m edge of the incoi'ning strip upwdly in the 01711. herein before descri. e both strips are moved ultaneously by the respective ers to land it, the placer era 88 are movm more rapid y than are the fingers t9 and the up is noted n of the incoming strip is caused to overlap-the vexi end T of the outgoing stripin the mer indicated. it will be oheerved by reference to Figure 2% that the first strip. It will be ohservw tt the l were E is stopped just short oi die i i and that at the time the double cut is made at its, set in the respective ends of the strips, the trailing end 1* of the outf strip is inst yond the die mil so that no 913:; or intercutting is e3 iected (lu -1r this double cutting operati The double cutting or closure end a a operations above daorihed are conned as lo es the isoperated, strokes of the punch ele merits, except them-st deserihed single out, efi'ech ine a double cutting operation in his i x==- tie w,- thereby .fns'

or? the strips across top plate 52 and the punching of closures there from, the plate the tiers to guide the stripe hold them close to the top plate 33, thereby the friction members its and idea serve addi tionally to hold the strip down at the die one; facilitate the punch iooperation. v

After all of the intended cuts are sis-i in a given strip it, it is rapidly elected from the paws. The s I; 3:; eiiectire reed movement of end or ill feeds the leading edge oi the strip scrap ire-town the then wparated feeding rollers an sine rapid election at am surest 2. This overlap 

